Ex-Labour councillor prominent in ReformUK’s Fife regional candidates for Scottish election
Reform UK has named its regional list candidates for Fife in the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections.
The nine names include former Labour councillor Julie MacDougall, who is also standing in the Kirkcaldy constituency. She has been placed second on the party’s regional list, giving her a chance of getting to Holyrood even if she doesn’t win the constituency seat.
Councillor MacDougall quit Labour after failing to win the party’s nomination for the General Election ticket in 2024 - the party opted for Melanie Ward who swept to a comfortable victory.
Councillor MacDougall, whose late father, John, was Labour MP for Glenrothes and also led Fife Council, sat as an independent before joining ReformUK last August, stating her values “are truly most aligned to this party than any other.”
Voters go to the polls to choose their next MSPs on May 7, with the count taking place the following day.
ReformUK has nine candidates on the Mid Scotland and Fife regional list - the higher up the pecking order, the greater the chance they have of getting a seat in the Chamber.
The table is topped by Helen McDade, who is contesting the Perthshire and Kinross seat, with Cllr MacDougall second.
Two other Fife candidates are listed. Otto Inglis, who is standing in Dunfermline, is listed seventh, with former Tory councillor,l Linda Holt, who is contesting North East Fife, in eighth
Malcolm Offord, leader of Reform UK in Scotland, said: “We are pleased to finally announce our team of prospective MSPs. This is a strong, capable group of people who are ready to take our message directly to the people of Scotland and deliver the change that so many voters are calling for.
“The announcement signals the beginning of an intense campaign period, as Reform UK Scotland sets out its vision to cut taxes, unlock economic growth and deliver practical solutions on the issues that matter most to communities across the country.”
The full Mid Scotland and Fife list is Helen McDade, Julie McDougall, Rachael Wright, Mark Davies, Mike Collier, Kenneth Morton, Otto Inglis, Linda Holt and James Glen.
> The Alliance to Liberate Scotland, a new party created by former MSP Tommy Sheridan in the wake of the demise of Alba Party, has also announced its regional list candidates. It bids to get more pro-independence voices at the Scottish Parliament. Its Fife regional candidates include Eva Comrie, Laurie Moffat, Jock Penman, Donal Hurley and Frank Armstrong.